Betty Jean Rickenberg, 92, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance.

She was born on January 15, 1925 to Lloyd and Estelle (Hane) Kinzer in Defiance County. On August 31, 1946 she married Leo Rickenberg, who preceded her in death on September 25, 2014.

Betty was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Lutheran Women Missionary League, and UAW Local 211. Betty worked at General Motors in Defiance for over 30 years, retiring in 1987. She loved vegetable and flower gardening, women's bible study, and her grand-dog, Wiggles. She was an excellent cook and taught her girls well. Betty was also a seamstress, and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and tating.

Betty will be sadly missed by her daughters, Diana Rickenberg, and Darla Rickenberg, and son-in-law, Charles Highwarden, all of Defiance, sister, Mary (Richard) Godwin of Mendon, Ohio, sisters-in-law, Marion Rickenberg of Bryan, and Florence Dammann-Jones of Napoleon, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leo Rickenberg, brothers Kenneth, Keith, and infant brother David.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Defiance. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, with Rev. William Stottlemyer officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Ayersville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to CHP Inpatient Hospice Center of Defiance, LWML, or St. Stephen Lutheran Church. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.